Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Continuing the historical series, the Later Imperial
Rome make use of the eastern order of battle. The number of cavalry and
legionnaires have been increased and among the auxilia there are now sagittarii
(4Bw) present.

The first conflict takes place north of the Danube
which allows the Sarmatians to fight in 'homeland' territory of the steppes. This may pose a problem for Rome as the terrain will be devoid of features to use in deploying troops.

Game 1

Rome on the offensive, caught the Sarmatian scrambling out of their village to reach open ground. As Rome advanced only half the Sarmatian cavalry could deploy to the far bank.

Taking advantage of the situation, the magister militum launched his cavalry against the Sarmatians exiting the village
and placed the auxilia in a position to delay those Sarmatians
crossing the river downstream.

Lacking room to manoeuvre, the Sarmatians took heavy
casualties (two elements) as the clibanarii and equites fell on them in front
and both flanks.

Rome also suffered casualties, but the losses on the
Sarmatian were significant enough to send them fleeing. Score 4 – 2 for the LIR.

Game 2

In the second battle, the Sarmatian have called on the Alani (allies) to defeat the Roman invader; these are deployed on the wings. Rome having the advantage of
ground would be content to hold it.

Seeing the main effort was directed toward the centre,
the Magister Militum moved his left wing to bring the sagittarii into effective bow range. On the right, the equites and skirmishers could deal with the Alani
while the clibanarii and auxilia in centre, moved forward to meet the
Sarmatians on the slope of a gentle hill.

In centre, the Sarmatians unleashed a fury at the
Romans holding the hill and in two successive bounds their chieftain destroyed
half the clibanarii. Other Sarmatian cavalry in support of their general were
less than successful as they were sent back to the base of the hill. On the Sarmatian left,
the Alani made up for their poor performance and destroyed a unit of light
horse.

The final act came when the Sarmatian chieftain signalled
his Alani and Sarmatians to finish the Romans off, then doubling back he sought out the Roman general. The last onslaught delivered the fatal blow leaving the legion and the magister militum littering the battlefield. Score 7g – 2 for
the Sarmatian.

Game 3

The final battle found both armies constrained by the
limited open ground and so both deployments were just under 800 paces.

Rome remained steadfast on their hill position
offering the Sarmatians ample time to coordinate their assault.

Noticing how easily Roman skirmishers had crossed the
river (paltry), the Sarmatian chieftain dispatched light troops of his own to
deal with them. Meanwhile, the Sarmatians and Alani struck the Roman line.

Sarmatian lances found their mark destroying the
legion and its supporting auxilia leaving the Magister Militum dangerously exposed.
Elsewhere, the Alani and the Sarmatian cavalry were being repulsed and losing
ground but both sides experienced heavy casualties (3 – 3).

Following their orders, the auxilia ignored the ‘rally’
signal from their general and fell on the Alani destroying more than half their
number. Seeing the Alani essential destroyed
and his Sarmatian cavalry repulsed elsewhere, the Sarmatian chieftain called
for a retreat. Score 5 – 3 for the LIR.

Friday, 26 January 2018

Marauding desert tribes have disrupted the caravan
trade between Qatna and Tadmor and to remedy the situation a number of Amorite city states cobbled together an army to punish the sand dwellers. All the engagements took place in the fertile region (arable terrain) between the two
cities.

The
armies

The Later Amorite has a large retinue of troops armed
with sickle sword and battle axes (3Bd). These are supported by a good number
of skirmishers (Ps) and two units of auxilia, all under the command of a general
who rides a platform car (Cv).

In contrast, the Bedouin are lighter armed with
auxilia (3Ax) making up the bulk of the army and supporting them are two units of
bow (3Bw) and three units of skirmishers (Ps). Both armies have no difficulty
in negotiating difficult terrain, but fighting such terrain is not favourable
for the Amorite retinue.

Game 1

The Amorite formed a battle line with the auxilia making use
of a village to secure their left with the majority of infantry extending a broad front from that point. Skirmishers posted to the extreme right completed the battle formation. Half of the Bedouin could be seen
facing the Amorite centre while the remainder were lurking behind the woods.

The Amorite general noted the hesitancy among the Bedouin leaders and so moved his own force quickly forward. Within minutes, the
distance between the two lines closed the clash that followed gave the Amorite first blood.

The Amorite were surprised at the lack of resistance from the Bedouin as victory was quickly achieved. Despite the few casualties incurred. the score was 4 – 2 for the Later Amorite.

Note: Call it treachery or the sand dwellers were in
disfavour by the gods, but three turns with consecutive low pip scores essentially
immobilised the Bedouin. Historians will most likely lay the blame to tribal
discord.

Game 2

Driving the Bedouin out of the fertile valleys, the
sand dwellers were caught near the foothills. Deployed in the valley floor was
the main strength of the Amorite force with the remainder securing the heights
on the right directly facing the Bedouin tribesmen.

The tribesmen were this time less lethargic and were now
focusing their main assault on the heights held by Amorite skirmishers and
auxilia. These quickly formed a line along the crest as the Bedouin approached.

Atop their hill position, the Amorite held long enough to
allow the main body time to engage the Bedouin right formed on the valley floor. Inspired by the presence of their
leader, the Amorite retinue quickly cut down Bedouin archers and javelinmen bring the score to 3 – 1.

The Amorite suffered another casualty but seeing the
entire right wing collapse, the Bedouin called for a retreat. Score 4 – 2 for the Later Amorite.

Game 3

A third victory against the Bedouin would ensure peace for a few years so the Amorite were quite optimistic about a final engagement.
Both armies formed their battle line, each resting their flanks on covering terrain; here the
Amorite made use of a small village and the slope of a nearby hill. Directly to
their front, the Bedouin formed their line between two woods.

The Bedouin quickly moved their left against the Amorite right positioned in the village while the remainder of the army held their place.

Confident that the village would hold against the Bedouin assault, the Amorite centre and left wing advanced against the Bedouin. The auxilia on the left were surprised by a sudden Bedouin
attack from the wood, but this did not slow the main assault on the centre. To support the effort around the village a unit
of Amorite infantry were sent to support the defenders.

In the centre, the Amorite infantry were meeting stiff
resistance incurring a casualty. Despite the loss the battle line still held.

Any confidence that had been felt before was shattered as isolated Amorite
units were disappearing under swarms of tribesmen surrounding them. The
situation took an unexpected turn as the entire right wing collapsed giving the
victorious Bedouin an open gateway to the Amorite camp. To save the army a general retreat was
called for. Score 4 – 3 for the Ammu
Bedouin.

Note: Both Early Bedouin and Early Libyan have scored a
victory proving the ‘impossible is possible’.

Sunday, 21 January 2018

Throughout the history of Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, the tribesmen of Libya were
a constant nuisance raiding the delta regions and fertile areas along the Nile River. There are instances of Libyans reaching as far south as the Nubian frontier and this will be played out in the coming month. In this second match, the Early Libyans are joined by other tribes (6 x 5Hd) eager to enjoy the riches that the western delta has to
offer.

Game 1

Libya on the attack caught
the Egyptian forces with their backs against one of the tributaries of the
Nile. With little space to deploy, the Egyptians used the marshes to protect
their left flank and used the conscript infantry to protect their right.

Libyan strategy was simple,
overwhelm the Egyptian centre, while all the skirmishers on the right flank
would infiltrate the marshes and turn the enemy left. On the opposite flank,
Libyan archers would support the main assault.

Egypt elected to meet the
tribesmen and so wheeled their battle line to conform to the Libyan advance.
Skirmishers on the right flank would hopefully keep the enemy archers busy.

Egyptian skirmishers on the
left were becoming casualties but they still held their ground. Egyptian
archery held the first wave of tribesmen in check so conscript infantry was
able to fall on their flank destroying a unit.

A second unit of horde fell
to the discipline ranks of the Egyptian conscripts leaving a gaping hole in the
Libyan line. The Egyptian skirmishers on the right flank now close on the
Libyan archers.

With the Libyan archers
destroyed, their general had no option but to call a general retreat. Score
6 (+2 x 5Hd) – 1 for Egypt.

Game 2

Fleeing south, presumably to
reach the Fariyum Oasis before turning west, the Libyans continued their
pillaging. The Egyptians rapidly caught up with the Libyans ready for battle.
With their left flank resting on an area of marsh their battle line seethed
with masses of tribesmen.

The Egyptians took up their
standard battle formation with the nomarch, retinue and archers in the centre,
conscript infantry to the right and skirmishers extending both flanks. The
menfat were positioned behind the archers as a reserve.

Both lines moved steadily
forward, Egyptian skirmishers on the right were eager for battle and moved
ahead of the main battle line.

The Libyans struck first
forcing the Egyptian line to buckle, but it held.

After a brisk fight on the
Egyptian right the skirmishers fled with both units of tribesmen in hot
pursuit. Elsewhere, the Egyptians held the line and in some places were able to
force the tribesmen back even destroying a few units.

The battle took a desperate
turn as the tribesmen now free of the Egyptian skirmishers fell on the exposed
flanks of the conscript infantry. Their opportune aid help destroy the
conscripts leaving one unit of menfat to hold off five times its
number.

The nomarch assessing the
situation knew the only chance of victory was to attack the reserve units where
their leader was positioned. The Libyan chieftain gleefully accepted the
challenge attacking the nomarch and his retinue.

Better armed, the Egyptian
retinue forced the Libyan chieftain back, but this had the unfortunate result
of moving closer to Libyan help. Elsewhere, the Libyan tribesmen succeeding in
taking out the menfat and archers that remained of the centre leaving the
nomarch with scant few troops to call for a retreat. Score 6 (+2 x 7Hd)
- 5 (+ 2 x 5Hd) for the Early Libyan.

Game 3

Pleased with their victory
over the Egyptians, the Libyans returned north to continue plundering the rich
delta region. Encamped on the banks of the Nile, the Libyans found a smaller
force of Egyptians barring their path homeward. In the distance, the sails of
Egyptian ships could be seen approaching the encampment and so the Libyans
readied themselves for battle.

Leaving a small force to
deal with an eventual attack from the water, the Libyan tribesmen hurled
themselves at the awaiting Egyptian battle line.

Through poor communication
(low pip scores) the Libyan leader witnessed the destruction of his reserve
units and the oncoming line of enemy infantry. Further away, the Egyptian
nomarch was experiencing a similar plight as he was surrounded by horde of
tribesmen.

Breaking out of his
encirclement, the Egyptian nomarch could see the standard of the Libyan leader
fall announcing his passage to the afterlife. Without a leader, the Libyans
fought desperately to survive.

The end came when the menfat
destroyed the corps of archers bringing the battle to a close. Score 7g (+3
x 5Hd) – 1 for Egypt.

Sunday, 14 January 2018

During the end of the Middle Kingdom dynasties, the Egyptians first encounter the Later Amorite {1} in what is modern day Palestine. In this test series, the Later Amorite are the aggressor (3) and face the
Egyptians on their home territory which is represented here as the eastern delta (Littoral).

Game 1

Returning from another successful campaign against the Ammu
Bedouin the Egyptian army found its path blocked by the Amorites. An eventual confrontation
with the Amorites had been expected, but not so early in
the campaign season.

The Amorite deployed in three ‘divisions’, one
securing the approach along the beach, a second further inland on the outskirts
of marsh land and the remainder of the army formed a battle line between the two divisions.

The Egyptians nomarch positioned his main body in centre with skirmishers deployed to both wings and in reserve were the conscript infantry.

The Amorite moved its wing ‘divisions’ ahead of the
main body as it moved slowly forward. Amorite auxiliaries moved forward in support of each wing. Egyptian skirmishers moved to counter the enemy on the
flanks.

Altering his plan, the nomarch moved the conscripts
forward while giving them supporting archery fire. The conflict now escalated
as the left wing required the aid of the menfat to support the skirmishers.

Both lines were now wholly engaged in battle and within
minutes the formations dissolved into smaller battles with casualties falling
heavily on both sides (2 – 2).

It was not long before the situation became desperate
as the Egyptian right collapsed leaving the nomarch no further choice but to
call a general retreat. Score 4 – 3 for
the Later Amorite.

Game 2

Making use of a night march, the Egyptian army slipped
past the Amorite to march further south. Re-equipping the army from the supply
ships that shadowed the column, the nomarch decided to utilize a number of
transports to assault the Amorite from the sea.

Anticipating a seaborne assault, the Amorite shortened
their line facing the Egyptians and placed auxiliaries to patrol the shoreline
and a unit of warriors were held further back as a reserve.

The main Egyptian force advanced slowly forward giving
the archers plenty of time to find their targets as the seaborne column
disembarked from their boats, these were the menfat joined by a unit of
skirmishers. More skirmishers had slipped past the marshland to support the seaborne effort.

The Egyptian left wing had quickly taken care of the
Amorite skirmishers forcing their general to commit his reserve. Both
lines were heavily engaged but the situation for the nomarch became desperate
as his line of archers crumbled under the blows of Amorite axes (3 – 2, Amorite).

With the line of archers gone, the nomarch found
himself surrounded and died. Despite inflicting further casualties among
the Amorite, the Egyptians lost heart with the loss of their leader and fled
the battlefield. Score 5g – 3 for the
Later Amorite.

Game 3

The final blow to the Egyptian army came when they
found the Amorite blocking their retreat back to Egypt. The Egyptians deployed
closer to the shoreline with the conscript infantry positioned forward of the
line leaving the newly elected commander to deploy the remainder of the army
further back allowing the archers additional room to use their bows.

The Amorite did not take the bait and focused first on
stripping the Egyptians of its ‘wings’. For this task he sent the skirmishers
supported by auxiliaries to open the battle. The main body moved slowly
forward.

The Amorite plan worked well as the casualties on the
Egyptian flanks mounted with no loses for the Amorite (3 – 0).

Egyptian archers kept the Amorite tribesmen at bay but
elsewhere the situation became desperate as the army was now encircle on both
flanks (3 – 1).

The slaughter now became general such that the army
broke leaving their newly elected general to cover its rear. Score 6 (+horde) – 1 for the Later Amorite.

{1} this period of history the Egyptian kingdom is split between a Lower Egypt controlled by the Hyksos and
an independent Upper Egypt ruled from Thebes. The unification of the kingdom was known was begun by Kamose during his reign (1555 BC – 1550 BC). Ahmose I (1549 BC – 1524
BC) continued the war against the Hyksos finally expelling them from Lower
Egypt. In all likelihood, any conflict with the Later Amorite would place it after this period.